Acetylene-gas lamp.



No. 643,869. Patented Feb. 20, 1900.

VG. B. GATES. v

ACETYLENE GAS LAMP. (Application fi1ed Ha.y 12, 1898. Benwed Au'g. 5,1899.) (No Model.)

Mamum= M 7 5 a "5 "m: norms saws cc. Pnoroumo WASHINGTON, u. c.

* UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. GATES, OF PORTLAND, MAlNE.

ACETYLEN E-GAS LAM P.

srEoIFIcArrioN forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,869, datedFebruary 20, 1900. Application filed Ma; 12, 1898. Renewed August 5,1899. Serial No. 72 6331. (N model.)

chines, of which the following is a'specifica tion.

My invention relates to a gas-generating apxo paratus, and particularlyto an apparatus for the generationof acetylene gas from calcium carbid.

The invention is directed to an improved construction of that form ofapparatus in r which the requisite amount of water is automaticallysupplied to the generating-chamher as fast as it is needed and in whichthe flow of water is automatically shut off when the pressure of gasexceeds a predetermined 2o limit without the use of valves or othermechanically-operating mechanism.

The invention consists of a generating chamber connected with a liquid-reservoir by means of a communicating liquid-supply tube 2 5 or ductwhich is constricted or made smaller at the point where it enters thegeneratingchamber and is in the smaller form of apparatus small enoughto become a capillary opening, with a gas tube or duct connecting 0 thegenerating-chamber with the liquid-supply tube or duct for the purposeof quickly conveying the pressure within the generating-chamber to theliquid within the supplytube.

The invention further consists in submerging the generating-chamberwithin the liquid -reservoir and providing means for retaining thegenerating-chamber at Varying heights to regulate the normal pressurewith- 0 in the generating-chamber.

Another feature of the invention consists in constructing the reservoirwith an open top and so forming the generating-chamber that it can befreely lifted in and taken out through said open top to be filled, doc.

I illustrate my invention by means of the accompanying drawings, inwhich is shown a simple form of the invention designed to be used forthe generating of acetylene gas and fitted up to be used as a portablelamp.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan or top view, and Fig. 2 is a centralvertical section.

pendent of each other except so far as a water connection is concerned,and the generatingchamber and regulating device may be independentexcept a connection for the convey ance of the water to thegenerating-chamber. The reservoir is constructed with an open top, andthe generating-chamber is so made that it may be readily lifted out andput in whenever necessary to fill the generating-chamber or for anyother purpose. The generatingchamber is thus always surrounded withwater, by which it is kept cool, and it may be quickly and easilyremoved from the tank at any time.

Water is admitted to the chamber 1', prefably at the top, through aconstricted opening 0, whichmay be a perforation in the top of thechamber, as here shown, or other small opening suitably located.

In portable lamps and other forms of small apparatus it is important, inorder to secure the action herein often spoken of, that the opening 0should be small enough to be a capillary openingthat is to say, itshouldbe capable of holding itself full of water by capillary-attraction. Theopening may be made capillary either by decreasing it in size or byfilling it with some fibrous material or in any other manner. Aconnection is made between the opening 0 and the water in the reservoir,so that the water is supplied under a head or pressure sufficient toovercome the normal gas pressure within the chamber. The connection ismade between the opening and the reservoir by means of a free ornormally-open water-supply tube or duct 8, which connects with theopening and preferably extends downward to a point below the level ofthe opening and connecting with the interior of the reservoir. By meansof this connection a water seal is formed, which allows the gas, when anexcess of pressure is present, to expand and fill or partially fill thetube 8, driving the water therefrom without wasting any of the gas. Itis obvious that this tube may be of any suitable size and may be made tocontain a considerable quantity of gas.

In order to give the gas more freedom to act upon the water in the tube5 than it would get by acting directly through the opening 0, I connectthe upper end of the tube .9 with the interior of the generating-chamberby means of a gas tube or duct u, whereby the gas-pressure on the insideof the generatingchamber is conveyed to the surface of the water in thewater-supply tube 8. In order to make this connection with the interiorof the generating-chamber, as herein shown, I provide a tubularextension b, which connects with the cover '1) of the generating-chamberby means of a casting or coupling d. The coupling has a right-angledpassage 6, connecting at its lower end with the tube .9 and the opening0, and at its upper end with the pressure-tube M, which, as here shown,lies wholly within the tubular extension I). At the upper end of theextension I) is shown the tubular connection t, the burners not beingshown.

The tubular extension I) is utilized as a means for supporting thechamber r within the reservoir, and means are provided for securing thechamber at varying heights, according to the gas-pressure in thegenerator. The means here shown consist of a spider or supporting frame0, held in the top of the reservoir fand having an opening through whichthe tubular extension 1) passes and a set-screw c for fastening it inany desired position.

It will be readily understood that when the chamber 0" or the lower endof the duct is submerged sufficiently, the opening 0 will be underpressure below the water-level, the water will be forced through it bythe weight of the columns above it, and dropping on the carbid willcause the generation of gas. It is important that the water shall beintroduced through a submerged opening in order to secure a steady flowwhile the apparatus is in action. If the burners are open and the gas isallowed to escape undera limited pressure as fast as formed, the waterwill continue to run in as required; but if the burners are closed orany undue amount of gas is generated, then the back pressure on thewater through the opening 0 and through the pressure-tube u will forcethe water back and down the tube 8 to a greater or less extent and stopthe generation of gas. The total head of water is represented by theheight of the column over opening 0, this column being subject, on theone hand, to the pressure of the water in the tank and, on theotherhand, to the pressure of gas in the generating-chamber. As thelatter pressure fluctuates, the level of this column will change, andwhen it is forced down below the orifice o by the increased pressure ofthe gas the flow of water will stop. It is evident by submerging thechamber 0" to a greater or less extent in the reservoir f a greater orless normal pressure can be maintained in the generator or thegeneration of gas altogether stopped by elevating the feedopening of thegenerating-chamber above the level of the water in the reservoir.

By making the opening 0 capillary the water will pass through graduallyand with an even flow so long as there is a head of water above theopening, varying in speed or quantity according to the head, and noundue amount of water will be forced through the opening by a suddenincrease of pressure, as would sometimes be the case with an opening notsmall enough to be capillary. The capillary attraction acts as a safetydevice against the sudden rush of too great a supply of water throughthe opening in case of a sudden decrease of gas-pressure, andconsequently it is of great importance in small forms of appa ratus.

When it is desired to recharge the chamber with carbid, the cover 1) isunfastened and the contents of the chamber changed or a duplicatechamber may be attached.

It is evident that many difierent modifications can be made of my devicewhile keep ing within the terms of my invention, and consequently I donot desire to limit myself to the specific construction here shown. Thedevice is entirely automatic and governs itself without the use of anyvalves or other operating mechanism and without the retention of anyconsiderable quantity of gas in the apparatus.

\Vhile the apparatus is here shown as being applied to a lamp, it can beused wherever the generation of acetylene gas is desired, and it canalso be applied to the generation of any other gas from a volatile liq=uid when the liquid is to be fed under pressure to a generating-chamber.

I claim' 1. In a gas-generating apparatus, the com bination of agenerating-chamber, a liquidreservoir, a communicating duct or tube between said reservoir and the generating-chamher, the communicationbetween the tube and the generating-chamber being a constricted openingof less area than the cross-area of the said tube or duct, and a gastube or duct connecting the generating-chamber with the liquid tube orduct above the opening into the generating chamber, substantially asde-- cribed.

2. In a gas-generating apparatus the combination of agenerating-chamber, a liquidreservoir, a communicating duct or tubebetween said reservoir and the generating-chamher, the communicationbetween the tube and the generating-chamber being a capillary openingand a gas tube or duct connecting the generating-chamber with the liquidtube or duct above the openinginto the generatingchamber, substantiallyas described.

3. In a gas-generating apparatus the combination of a water-reservoir, agas-generating chamber contained therein, a water-supply openingin saidgenerating-chamber a water-supply duct connecting with said opening andextending downward below the level thereof and means for adjusting thevertical position of said chamber Within the reservoir substantially asdescribed.

4. In a gas-generating apparatus the combination of a Water-reservoiropen to atmospheric pressure a gas-generating chamber contained therein,a water-supply opening in said generating-chamber connecting with theinterior of the V'vater-reservoir and means for adjusting the verticalposition of said open- 10 ing with reference to the water-level withinthe reservoir, substantially as described.

GEORGE B. GATES Witnesses:

S. W. BATES, A. R. MORRILL.

